Man and his dog complete 'life-changing journey'
Paul Hayes reached the Arctic Ocean on Tuesday, raising more than $20,000 for Victoria-based Broken Promises Rescue.
Embarking on his quest on July 16, Hayes cycled 34 days and 3,385 kilometres from Victoria to Tuktoyaktuk, North West Territories, with his dog, Cinder, in a trailer behind his bike.
“We met so many wonderful people that guided and motivated us to the end. It was a life-changing journey which we owe to everyone who showed support through messages, contributions and believed in the mission,” said Hayes in a post on his Gofundme page.
Broken Promises Rescue is a volunteer-run non-profit animal rescue organization.
• For more information, go to brokenpromisesrescue.wordpress.com or Facebook.
How you can help in school supply drive
Staples has kicked off its 16th annual Staples for Education school supply drive, running until Sept. 19.
To help students hit the ground running, the company is raising funds to help students get access to the supplies they need to help them go back to school with confidence.
Stores across the country are collecting donations to support local charity organizations. In western Canada, money raised will go toward the Boys and Girls Club of Canada, United Way and the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. Donations of $20 and more are eligible for a tax receipt.
• More information can be found on the Staples website.
Refugee centre society offers bystander training
The Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society will be offering bystander training sessions in response to the rise of racist incidents amid the COVID-19 pandemic, from October to December.
The society was awarded a $20,000 grant from the Victoria Foundation’s Community Recovery Program for the Resilience B.C. Anti-Racism program.
“Through the generosity of our donors, we are able to support the important and impactful work of organizations like Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society,” said Sandra Richardson, CEO of Victoria Foundation. “COVID-19 has disproportionately affected vulnerable, racialized communities. The work of the Resilience B.C. Anti-Racism Hub in addressing racism and hate in communities comes at a crucial time in our society.”
This new program, Building Resilient Communities for All, will deliver community training as well as a series of video lessons focusing on how to stand up to hate crimes, racial discrimination, hate speech and aggression.
“This funding further amplifies the work of VIRCS’ Resilience B.C. Hub program, which provides tailored support to network members across the capital region, the island and throughout the province,” said Osaro Ezomo, the society’s president. “The Hub is dedicated to providing leadership, knowledge, support and action towards an anti-racist, equitable and just society.”
The Resilience BC Anti-Racism Network is funded by the province. The program connects more than 50 B.C. communities with information, supports and the training to respond to and prevent incidents of racism and hate.
• For more information, go to resiliencebc.ca.
United Way hits milestone in mental-health campaign
United Way Southern Vancouver Island says its Blue Love Campaign is one-third of the way to its $1-million goal.
Mental-health services were already stretched before the pandemic. According to the BCCDC Foundation for Public Health, almost half of Vancouver Islanders reported worsening mental health over the past 18 months, with demand for some services up by as much as 50 per cent.
“On southern Vancouver Island, we’re hearing that barriers for people seeking mental-health support include long waitlists or limited service hours,” said Mark Breslauer, CEO at United Way Southern Vancouver Island.
“We are pleased to support 12 agencies, along with a new pilot project between Connections Place and Umbrella Society to provide both addictions and mental-health support for community members as they leave the hospital or psychiatric treatment.”
The campaign will fund new community mental-health programs offered by Family Services of Greater Victoria, Hulitan Family and Community Services Society, Greater Victoria Citizens’ Counselling Centre, Mental Health Recovery Partners, NEED2 Suicide Prevention, Education & Support, Pacific Centre Family Services, South Island Counselling, Sooke Family Resource Society, Vancouver Island Men’s Therapy Centre, Esquimalt Neighbourhood House and the Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees.
All donations up to $100,000 will be matched by Peninsula Co-op. The campaign ends in December.
For more information, or to donate, go to uwsvi.ca/bluelovecampaign.
Match challenge for Shelbourne Community Kitchen’s effort
The Shelbourne Community Kitchen’s Double the Need, Double the Donation fundraising effort has been given a huge boost by a donor who has offered to match any donations up to $20,000.
The kitchen serves more than 1,100 members and 830 participants who have faced challenges over the past year.
“This generous offer could not have come at a better time as the need for our programs has more than doubled due to COVID, and we are having to move to a new location in order to meet the growing community need for food support,” said Clarice Dillman, chair of the community kitchen. “We are so grateful for donors who step up at times like this.”
A growing need, along with the expense of renovating and moving to a larger space has resulted in the need for additional funding. The kitchen has had to rely more on grocery vouchers and less on food donations.
The kitchen is a neighbourhood food centre, more than a food bank or a soup kitchen. In addition to distributing fresh and healthy food, it offers cooking programs, hosts gardening workshops and manages vegetable gardens that supply fresh produce for programs.
For more information, or to donate, go to shelbournecommunitykitchen.ca.
